Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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82. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will clarify the issue regarding catchment areas in relation to national schools; if he will clarify who establishes the catchment areas in the Dublin area; if the catchment areas are laid down by his Department or if they are negotiated locally by school authorities/patrons; the way in which parents can currently gain admission for their children to a school where children have been refused admission as the school is regarded as not within the catchment area of where the child lives; if the proposed amendments to admission policies will change criteria; the appropriate school under current regulations for children living at a particular location (details supplies) in Dublin 5; the way a parent may gain admission for their child to a school other than the designated one; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43914/13]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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It is the responsibility of the managerial authorities of all schools to implement an enrolment policy in accordance with the Education Act, 1998. In this regard a Board of Management may find it necessary to restrict enrolment to children from a particular area or a particular age group or, occasionally,

on the basis of some other criterion. The criteria to be applied by schools in such circumstances are a matter for the schools themselves. This selection process and the enrolment policy on which it is based must be non-discriminatory and must be applied fairly in respect of all applicants. Under section 15 (2) (d) of the Education Act 1998, each school is legally

obliged to publish its enrolment policy.

Section 29 of the Education Act 1998 provides parents with an appeal process where a board of management of a school or a person acting on behalf of the Board refuses enrolment to a student. Where a school refuses to enrol a pupil, the school is obliged to inform parents of their right under Section 29 of the Education Act 1998 to appeal that decision to either the relevant Educational Training Board or to the Secretary General of my Department.

The National Educational Welfare Board (NEWB) is the statutory agency which can assist parents who are experiencing difficulty in securing a school place for their child. The Board can be contacted at National Educational Welfare Board, National Headquarters, 16-22 Green Street, Dublin 7 or by telephone at 01-8738700.

As the Deputy will be aware, I recently published a draft General Scheme for an Education (Admission to Schools) Bill, 2013 as well as draft regulations for discussion ahead of enacting legislation. I have referred the draft General Scheme and draft regulations to the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Education and Social Protection, to allow a full public discussion of the proposed legislative framework, including inputs from parents and the education partners.

The Joint Committee has issued an invitation to interested individuals and groups for submissions on the Draft General Scheme of an Education (Admission to Schools) Bill 2013. The Joint Committee's closing date for receipt of same is Wednesday 31st October (at 3 pm). Full details of this request are available on the Oireachtas website.